Perhaps most interesting (but unsurprising) was the finding that academics clearly leaned to Gordon Brown when asked whether the Chancellor or the Tory leader would be the most capable Prime Minister. 49% chose Gordon Brown and only 14% chose David Cameron. This 35% lead amongst PSA academics contrasts with a 7% lead amongst the public, Gill noted.

MORI also asked the academics about their expectations of the outcome of the next General Election. Those are given in the box on the right (click on image to enlarge). The outcome preferred by the academics is a tiny bit more left-leaning than their predictions!